Spectrum News is reporting longtime state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has died. He was 91. Bruno served as Senate majority leader from 1994 to 2008. His death was confirmed early October 7, by a spokesman. In response to the news, New York GOP head Nick Langworthy tweeted, "A true man of the people, he brought his boxing spirit, charm and wit to everything he did." Bruno was once one of the powerful "three men in a room" during the Pataki administration. The Republican served in the Senate for more than 30 years representing Rensselaer County. In 2009, he was convicted on federal corruption charges, but his conviction was overturned on appeal. He was acquitted following a retrial. A native of Glens Falls, Bruno attended St. Mary's and Skidmore College. His political career began in 1966 when he served on the campaign staff of Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Bruno played a significant role in the expansion of Albany International Airport, he advocated for high speed rail in New York, and was instrumental in bringing the Tri-City ValleyCats to town. Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy is named in his honor. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.